Improved cistern-top



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T. M. BUSH, OF HASTNGS, MICHGAN.

Lette/rs Patent No. 88,27 2, (lated March 30, 1869.

IMPROVED CISTERN-TOP.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

to enable those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains, to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, and iu which my invention is represented by a vertical central section.A

Heretofore, in the construction of cisterns, it has been customary to close the top of the same with an arching of brick, or`a covering of planks.

' The former mode is objectionable, on account of the time employed in its execution, together with the attendant cost and difficulty.

The plank covering is unsatisiactory, because the decay ofthe material necessitates its frequent removal and renewal. Besides, a plank covering cannot be rendered water-tight; therefore surliice-drainage will percolate through the covering otl planks and soil, and thus enter'the eistern to vitiate its contents. And, further, when the planks composing the coveringl begin to rot,- decayed, worm-eaten portions of the say-me will become detached and fall into the cistern, thus leaving openings, through which earth and other extraneous matters can fall in, and vermin or rats enter the cistern.

To remedy these defects, and provide a covering, or cistern-top which shall be water-tight and inexpensive, as well as exceedingly durable, and easily and readily constructed, is the object of my invention; and

It consists in constructing the tops of cisterns of cement, laid on a temporary coveringr of short boards, which are taken out as soon as the cement has set.

In the centre` ofthe top is a curb, having an opening in it. This curb is put in place so as to retain the removable plank covering, and the cement top laid on around it.

The cement covering rests on top the walls of thev cistern.

My invention will be better understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing- A A represent the walls of the cistern, which are usually made of cement.

, .A cement composed of gravel, sand, and water-lime has been found excellent t'or this purpose. yAbout the construction of the walls there is nothing peculiar.

l construct the top ot' the cistern as follows:

A narrow flange is first formed all around the inner edge of the top of the walls A A. If the cistern be located under a house, or other` building, (of which D D may represent the sills,) the curb B is secured to the under side ot the joists, represented at C O.

This curb is made of two wooden circles of the same size, having the edges-bevelled on one side. These circles are secured together, the bevelled sides being face to face, so 'as to form` a V-shaped groove, a, ou

the periphery, extending entirely around. As above stated, this curb is atixed to the under sides of the iioists G C.

It' the cistern ,be situated elsewhere than under a building, temporary ioists maybe provided for the attachment of the curb until the top is finished, when they may be removed.

The curb having been fixed in place, a temporary covering of short boards, b 11is laid down. These boardsare laid closely side by side, their upper ends ends supported on the flange, which is formed on the inside of the walls A A, at the top.

The cement (which may be composed of the same ingredients as that of which the walls A A are made, or any other which will answer the same purpose,) is now laid ou the temporary covering of boards, in a plastic state, and extending from the top of the wall A to the curb B, into the groove a of which it enters, so as to make a strong and water-tight Ijoint therewith.

iVhen the cement has become suticiently set, or hardened, the underlying sectional covering of boards is readily removed, piece by piece.

A round opening, e, is left in the curb, large enough to admit a man. This is covered by any suitable rcmovable lid.

d d are cross-pieces, betweenthe joists C C, at the sides of the openings e. p formed, to admit' air to the interior of the cistern.

Through these pieces Ventilating-apertures are To prevent the entrance oi' vermin or insects, these openings may be covered with wire gauze.

Vheu the cistern is built outside a building, the cement top is covered with earth up to the curb.

The eduction-pipe may enter the cistern at any desired point in the top.

It will be seen that by my invention, a covering is produced which is as durable as the walls ofthe body of the eist-ern.

I t can be constructed by any one of ordinary intelliable to the objections brought against brick or plank coverings.

One oi' the -main advantages of this construction is, that it is water-tight. This feature is very important and valuable when the cistern is situated in a barnyard, the foul drainings ot' which frequently tind their way through a plank covering, and render the water contained in the cistern almost, if not entirely unt for use.

Having thus described my invention,

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A cisterhn-top, made of cement, laid on a removable covering of boards, around a central curb, 13 so as to form tight joints therewith and with the main walls, all constructed in the manner substantially as described.

T. M. BUSH.

Witnesses GEO. W. IRo'rHvirnLL, PHIL. F. Lamina.

resting in the groove a of the curb, and their lower ligence, at small expense, and, when finished, is not' 

